PGGB unveils Northern Ireland committee members

The Production Guild of Great Britain has announced the members of its Northern Ireland committee.

The Northern Ireland committee is the second of the organisation’s national and regional committees to be anonunced, after Bristol and South West England last year. There are expected to be further ones for Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire, and North West England, taking the total up to six. 

Each committee will meet a minimum of four times per year and deliver a variety of activities within their area including forums, masterclasses and networking events. PGGB’s Chair and CEO will meet with the six National and Regional Committee Chairs annually as a steering group.

The PGGB Northern Ireland Committee is sponsored by Sargent-Disc (a Cast & Crew Company) and will be chaired by Belfast-based freelance producer Amanda Black, who is currently producing Mammoth Screen’s upcoming second series of BBC One World War II drama World on Fire.

The vice chairs are: Paula Crickard, head of post-production at Nu Boyana Studios and a producer whose feature film credits include Everton, Howards Way (2019) and BIFA-nominated Winter (2015); and emerging production accountant Michael Kilpatrick whose credits include Game of Thrones and upcoming Florian Zeller feature The Son starring Hugh Jackman and Anthony Hopkins.

Other committee members are: production manager Darren Chesney (The School for Good and Evil, The Northman); production accountant Richard Henry (Rush, Cats); location manager Naomi Liston (The Northman, Game of Thrones); Louise Morrison, a production accountant working in production development and training consultant currently delivering ScreenSkills’ UK Assistant Production Accountant Apprenticeship; and production manager Stacey Quigley (Invasion, Dungeons & Dragons).

Black said: “I’m delighted to be chairing the Production Guild’s new Northern Ireland Committee. At a time when our industry in Northern Ireland is stronger than ever, it’s important that those working behind the camera are well represented by national organisations that represent the UK industry as a whole. The launch of this committee is another strong step in that direction. I look forward to working with my colleagues and putting Northern Ireland further on the map as a place of excellence for filming.”

Lyndsay Duthie, PGGB CEO, added: “We’re delighted to continue PGGB’s roll out into the Nations and Regions with the launch of our new Northern Ireland Committee. By creating a network of professionals based across the country, we’re enabling better dialogue about how to target industry support that suits differing needs on the ground. With recent hits including The Northman, Belfast, Derry Girls and Game of Thrones, and upcoming releases like Dungeons & Dragons to look forward to, Northern Ireland is generating some of the most exciting screen content in the country. I’m pleased that this new Committee will help PGGB better represent the interests of its production professionals.”

Lara Sargent, co-head of international at Cast & Crew and director at Sargent-Disc, commented: “The work of the PGGB Northern Ireland Committee is going to be key to ensuring a joined up approach to high quality production across the UK, and crucially between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Sargent-Disc is honoured to support the Committee, as well as production on the island of Ireland and across the UK.”